A report from the Prevention and Abolition League revealed a surge in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on social media following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In the wake of the tragic death of the 31-year-old on Wednesday, there have been more than 10,000 posts on X linking the incident to Israel. The report indicates notable activity on this platform, in particular.
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was a prominent figure among young conservatives and a staunch advocate for Israel. He frequently expressed his admiration for the nation.
His death occurred during an event at Utah Valley University, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a friend of the Israeli lioness” in his tribute.
Interestingly, a video of Kirk discussing his experiences with backlash over questions about the Israeli government gained traction online shortly after his passing.
In some clips, he dismisses allegations of anti-Semitism tied to his support for “replacement theory,” a controversial conspiracy suggesting that Jews aim to replace white Americans with non-white immigrants.
Hours after Kirk’s murder, anti-Semites and others spreading misinformation quickly took to social media, attributing blame for the incident to Israel or the Jewish community.
Jackson Hinkle, aged 25 and known for promoting pro-Putin narratives, commented that Kirk, who had been a loyal supporter of Israel, began to express criticism out of fear for his safety. His post gained significant traction and was viewed millions of times.
Some online speculations insinuated that Jewish organizations might have conspired in the murder, especially considering Kirk’s recent shift in views about Israel.
Others referenced a statement he made about fearing repercussions from Israel, amplifying the idea that there was a broader agenda at play.
This smear campaign found resonance in some fringe commentators, with conspiracy theories suggesting collusion between Israel and the U.S. government to silence dissent, particularly in light of the timing of his death near the anniversary of September 11.
Violence targeting the Jewish community has seen several disturbing trends lately, including a recent attack in Colorado and a double murder outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
Despite the problematic nature of many of these posts, they remained viewable on X as of Friday. Representatives for X and Elon Musk did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.
Social media platforms led by Musk argue that some restrictions infringe on free speech rights, particularly regarding hate speech and content moderation. Recently, X asserted its commitment to combating violence and ensuring open dialogue.
